In an era of laptops, smartphones and mushrooming Wi-Fi networks, we can get online nearly anywhere. But we often connect without considering the potential perils

Sensitive information you transmit over Wi-Fi can be literally “sniffed” from the airwaves by a nearby snoop using readily available software and equipment. What’s more, hackers could trick you into connecting to their computer by making it appear to be a legitimate Wi-Fi hotspot.

Despite these risks, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to surf safely. Here are three tips for securely using Wi-Fi networks when you’re on-the-go, doing work in hotels, airports, cafés and other public places.

1. Avoid automatically connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots.

It can be tempting to quickly jump online using one of the 1.4 million public Wi-Fi networks now active in the world. But you could unwittingly connect to a rogue hotspot set up by a crook to gather…